Hinge assembly for butt-closing door leaves

ABSTRACT

The hinge assembly includes a frame fixture element, a door leaf fixture element and an articulation mechanism. Each of the fixture elements includes a guide means. The articulation mechanism includes connecting means which engage said guide means on each of the fixture elements. The connecting means are detachably lockable to said guide means.

United States Patent Griinert Sept. 9, 1975 1 1 HINGE ASSEMBLY FORBUTT-CLOSING [56] References Cited 000R LEAVES UNITED STATES PATENTS[75] Inventor: Hellmuth Grilnert, Hoffnungsthal, 825L649 8/1906 Wall v.16/165 Germany 1,681,032 10/1928 Fuller 16/159 2,301,465 11/1942 Shields16/165 [73] Assigneez Prameta prazlslonsmetallund g g g f g BaumannPrimary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam O ogne ermmy Assistant Exuminer-DorisL. Troutman [22] Filed: Oct, 10, 1973 Attorney, Agent or FirmMarkva &Smith 21 A 1. No: 405,227 1 1 pp 57 ABSTRACT The hinge assembly includesa frame fixture element, [30] Foreign Appllcauon Pnonty Data a deer leaffixture element and an articulation mecha- 1972 Germany 2250525 nism.Each of the fixture elements includes a guide means. The articulationmechanism includes connect- [52] [1.5. Cl 16/137; 16/129 ing means whichengagfi Said guide means on each of 1511 '1 Cl Eosd 11/00 the fixtureelements The connecting means are de [58] Fleld of Search 16/137, 135,128, 165, tachably lockame J said guide means 16/159, 129

1] Claims, 17 Drawing Figures SHEET 1 IIF 4 FIG. 4 FIG. 3

W- 7 nu 7 W- H 8 FIG. I

FIG. 5

FIG. 7

PATENTEDBEP 3.903.566

saw 2 0r 4 PATENTED 91975 3,903,566

sum 3 or 4 FIGJA PATENTEDSEP' 1975 SHEET l UF 4 HINGE ASSEMBLY FORBUTT-CLOSING DOOR necting member is releasably connected to the doorLEAVES leaf fixture element. The swivel or pivoting portion ofBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a hinge assemblyused for butt-closing door leaves. More particularly, the hinge assemblyis used on a furniture frame for cabinet walls and the like with thehinge axis thereof being visible.

Various embodiments of hinge frame assemblies for butt-closing doorleaves are known. These prior art hinge frame assemblies permit the doorleaf to open only through 90. In many cases, such a small swivel orpivot angle for the door leaf is unsuitable. Further, there is also therisk that the door leaf be over-swiveled by force so that the hingedframe and/or the wood of the door leaf can be over-strained and damaged.

Hinge frame assemblies which may be opened through more than 90, inparticular up to 180, generally involve a complicated hinge connection.Such a hinge frame assembly is relatively expensive. Furthermore, suchhinge frames having prior art hinge connections are susceptible todifficulties particularly where heavy door leaves are to be hingedlyconnected to a frame member.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION A primary object of this invention is toprovide a hinge assembly for butt-closing door leaves that may be openedthrough I80.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hinge assembly forbutt-closing doors having a visible hinge axis and may be adapted tovarious constructional systems of furniture having different wallthicknesses.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hinge assembly thathas a very simple construction. is robust and can be highly stressed andfurther permits a good and firm seat on the furniture parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hinge assembly having aminimum number of parts which require changing to adapt the assembly tovarious types of furniture and thus only a small inventory of parts isrequired.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a hinge assemblywherein it is necessary to interchange only parts thereof without havingto change the entire assembly when adapting it to various dimensions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hinge assembly whereinthe door leaf to which the assembly is attached may be easily removedwithout the necessity of disconnecting the fixture parts of the hingefrom the door leaf and at the same time provide the capability of astepless lateral and depth adjustment of the door leaf with respect tothe frame member to which it is attached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The hinge assembly of this invention includesfixture or fastening elements for the frame and the leaf that ishingedly connected to the frame. An independent articulation mechanismhas connecting parts which engage each of the fastening elements and arereleasably secured or dctachably lockable thereto.

More particularly. the articulation mechanism includes a stationaryconnecting member and a swivel or pivoting connecting member. Thestationary connecting member or fixed portion is visibly attached to theframe fixture element and the swivel or pivoting conthe articulatedmechanism may include a single connecting element or a combination oftwo connecting elements where there are two door leaves connected to thesame frame member. The articulated mechanism includes a visible hingeaxis on which the swivel portion of the mechanism pivots.

In a specific embodiment of this invention, the fixture or fasteningelements connected to the frame and the door leaf have closed pockettype recesses and the connecting portions of the articulated mechanismhave projections which are lug-shaped. The lug members are insertableinto the pocket-shaped recesses. A screw connection is used toreleasably lock the lug member into the pocket type recesses of thefixture elements.

A further specific embodiment of the invention provides an annularcapping screw constituting the desired screw connection therebypermitting a clamping of the connecting part of the articulatedmechanism at any desired position.

Another feature of the invention is directed to the use ofa fixtureflange having screw holes located on the fastening element for the framemember. This fixing element has a casing-shaped plate with the fixtureflange located on the free front side thereof. The distance between thescrew holes in the flange is the same distance as provided between theholes on the frame member. That is, the screw holes of the flange memberare registerable with the holes provided in the frame. When a framemember has a different series of holes with different distances betweenthem. only this fastening element need be changed for use with the otherhinge elements.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a pro jecting member suchas a thorn or the like located on the stationary connecting element andengaging a bore located on the front side of the frame member. As aresult of such a configuration. a considerable additional securing ofthe position of the hinge assembly on the frame is achieved.

According to another feature of this invention, a swivel part or elementof the articulated mechanism includes a lug projection and an eyesection that swivels about a pivotal axis. In a specific embodiment, thelug section is offset in axial direction with respect to the eye portionthereby offering the possibility for one and the same door leaf fixtureelement to be engaged either with a swivel element for a single hinge ora twin hinge arrangement. In a twin hinge arrangement, two swivel hingeparts engage the same fork-shaped stationary connecting element that isattached to the frame fixture so that two door leaves may be hingeconnected with one and the same frame fixture element. At the same time,it is also possible to use the same hinge elements for right hand andleft hand abutment. That is, the eye portion of the swivel connectingelement is so constructed with a corresponding interruption or recess toreceive the other swivel connecting part connected to a second door leafon the same frame fastening element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Other objects of this invention willappear in the following description and appended claims, reference beingmade to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specificationwherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in theseveral views.

FIG. I is a schematic top plan view of a frame fixture element of ahinge assembly made in accordance with this invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line IIIl of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view in the direction of arrow III of FIG.1,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line lV-IV of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a leaf fixture element of a hinge assemblymade in accordance with this invention,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along the line VIVI of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is an elevational view in the direction of arrow VII of FIG. 5,

FIG. 8 is an elevational view showing an articulation mechanism of ahinge assembly made in accordance with this invention,

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the fork portion of the articulationmechanism of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the swivel portion of the articulatedmechanism of FIG. 8,

FIG. I] is a top plan view of a swivel part for a twin hinge assemblymade in accordance with this invention,

FIG. I2 is an elevational view of the part shown in FIG. 11,

FIG. 13 is an elevational view in the direction of arrow XIII of FIG.11,

FIG. 14 shows a hinge assembly mounted on a frame and leaf with the leafbeing opened through 90,

FIG. shows a top plan view of the assembly of FIG. 14 with a swivelangle of the leaf through 180,

FIG. 16 is an elevational view showing a twin hinge assembly mounted ona frame and leaf, and

FIG. I7 is a top plan view of the twin hinge assembly of FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS The hinge assembly, generallydesignated 1, as shown in FIG. 14, consists of a frame fixture element2, a leaf fixture element 3 and an articulation mechanism 4 as anindependent element. Frame fixture element 2 has a case-like body 5 witha flange 6 in which fixture holes 7 are provided. A recess 8 and anoblong hole 9 are located in the case-like body.

The leaf fixture element 3 as shown in FIGS. 5 through 7 includes acase-like body 10 and a fixing plate 11 including holes 12 for thefastening screws. Casing 10 has a closed recess 13 to which belongs anoblong hole 14. An open recess 15 is located in the leaf fixture element3 and engages the articulation mechanism 4 if the leaf or door member isclosed. The closed recess 13 is offset with respect to the longitudinalaxis of the leaf fixture part 3 in a direction parallel to the hingepivoting axis. Consequently, the leaf fixture element 3 may be used forright hand and left hand abutment and for the twin arrangement asdisclosed hereinbelow.

As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the articulation mechanism 4 comprises a forkedportion 16 and a swivel part 17 pivotally joined at the hinge bolt orpivot pin 18. Lug members I9 and are designed as connecting pieces andform a part of the fork part 16 and swivel part I7, respectively.

The connecting lug 19 is insertable into the closed recess 8 of theframe fixture element 2. The connecting lug 20 is insertable into theclosed recess 13 of the leaf fixture element 3. Threaded holes 21 and 22located in lugs I9 and 20, respectively. receive fixture screws whichlock the lugs 19 and 20 in position within the recesses 8 and 13,respectively. The fastening screws are guided in the oblong holes 9 and14. In this embodiment, the fastening screws are commonly known asannular tapping screws, i.e., screw bolts with an annular blade at thefree front which may sink into the underside of the recess.

A thorn element 23 is disposed on the forked part 16 below theconnecting lug l9. Thorn 23 engages a bored hole at the front side ofthe frame portion so that the position of the articulation mechanism 4is additionally secured. The connecting lug 20 is offset in thedirection of the longitudinal axis of eye 24 as shown in FIG. 10. Theoffset position of lug 20 corresponds to the position of the closedrecess 13 in the leaf fixture part 3 into which recess the lug 20 isinserted.

Another embodiment of a swivel part I7a is shown in FIGS. 11 through 13.Swivel portion 17a includes a fork-shaped eye 24a and is used with atwin hinge made in accordance with this invention. A central clearing 25is located in the fork-shaped eye 24 as shown. The connecting lug 20a isdesigned to engage a leaf fixture element with an offset recess. Due tothe offsetting of recess 13 with lug 20 with a smaller breadth of thelatter, the leaf fixture element 3 may be used not only for a singlehinge but also for a twin hinge.

The assembled hinge 1 shown in FIG. 14 is fixed to the frame 26 and theleaf or door member 27. The series of holes 28 in the frame receiveholders for shelf bottoms and the like. The bores 7 of frame fixtureelement 2 are adapted to register with the holes 28 located in the frame26. In another furniture system having a different hole series, only theframe fixture part need to be interchanged. The hinge elements 3 and 4need not be changed. If the difference of the hole distances in theseries of holes 28 is not very large, an oblong hole 7a may be used forplacement of the fastening screw 29.

Connecting lugs 19 and 20 of the hinge assembly shown in FIGS. 14 and 15displaceably engage the recesses 8 and 13, respectively. A lateral anddepth adjustment is thereby ensured at any time for the leaf or doormember 27. The thorn 23 located on fork member 16 extends into the edgeof the frame 26 and ensures a solid seating of the hinge l. The depth ofengagement of lugs 19 and 20 in their respective recesses 8 and 13 maybe selected and secured by the annular tapping screws 30 and 31,respectively. The securing of lugs 19 and 20 within their respectiverecesses or closed guidances 8 and 13, provide a bilateral, very stableconnection between the articulation mechanism 4 and the fixture elements2 and 3. The leaf or door member 27 may be freely pivoted through asshown in FIG. 15.

The forked portion 16 of the articulation mechanism 4 is of such adesign that the hinge axis 18 is far advanced from the end of the framemember 26. With other thicknesses of the leaf or door member 27, onlythe forked portion 16 must be changed. All the other elements of thehinge may be retained.

A twin hinge configuration is shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and17. Two leaves 27a and 27b are hingedly connected to the frame 26a. Therelationship of hinge member I6 to the fixture element 2 remains thesame as in the embodiment of FIG. 14. However, in this instance, aswivel part 17a is attached to each of the leaves or door members 270and 27h. Both of these swivel members are mounted on the pivot 18 andintermesh as shown in FIG. 16. The lugs 200 are firmly disposed withinthe recesses 13 of the fastening members 3 mounted on the door leaves27a and 27b.

The elements of the hinges made in accordance with this invention mayconsist of any suitable material. In these embodiments. the elements areformed of zinc die cast metal having a high resistance.

While the hinge assembly fof butt-closing door leaves has been shown anddescribed in detail, it is obvious that this invention is not to beconsidered as being limited to the exact form disclosed, and thatchanges in detail and construction may be made therein within the scopeof the invention, without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, whatis claimed is:

l. A hinge assembly for butt-closing door leaves comprising:

a. a frame fixture element, a door leaf fixture element and anindependent connecting mechanism,

b. each said fixture clement including a guide means,

c. said connecting mechanism including a fixed portion, a pivotingportion that pivots about a pivotal axis located on said fixed portionand connecting means which engage said guide means on each of thefixture elements,

d. said connecting means being detachably lockable with said guide meansand being adjustably disposed with respect to the guide means on each ofthe fixture elements so that the independent connecting mechanism isdisplaceable with respect to the frame fixture and door leaf fixtureelements.

2. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide meansincludes a recess located in each of the fixture elements,

each said recess having a structural configuration to receive theconnecting means of the independent connecting mechanism.

3. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said connecting meansincludes lug members disposed on said fixed and pivoting portions andhaving a structural each said fixture element includes fastening screwmeans for releasably holding said lug members within each recess.

4. A hinge assembly as defined in claim I wherein said frame fixturemember includes a case-shaped plate member having a pocket recess openalong one side of the fixture member and a fastening flange having screwholes along another side of the fixture member,

the distance between the screw holes in said fastening flangecorresponding to the distance of holes provided in the frame onto whichsaid hinge assembly is to be disposed.

5. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide meanscomprises a pocket recess open along one side of each fixture element,

said connecting means includes a lug member formed on the fixed andpivoting portions of the independent connecting mechanism and insertableinto said recess,

said recess being offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of thefixture element in a direction parallel to the hinge pivoting axis toreceive the connecting lug member.

6. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the door leaf fixtureelement includes a circular casing having a recess opened at one endthereof to receive a lug member.

7. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the connectingmechanism portions is forked to mate with the other connecting mechanismportion so that the articulation portions pivot with respect to eachother about a pivot pin that pivotally connects the fixed and pivotingportions.

8. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein the forked connectingmechanism portion includes a projection element to engage the frame onwhich the frame fixture element is disposed to insure a secure locationthereon.

9. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said pivotingconnecting mechanism portion includes at least one pivoting part havinga forked section pivotally attached to the pivot pin.

10. A hinge assembly for butt-closing door leaves comprising:

a. a frame fixture member, a door leaf fixture member and intermediateconnecting mechanism,

b. said intermediate connecting mechanism including two connectingelements pivotally attached to each other,

e. each said fixture member including a recess, and

d. each said connecting element including a flat lug member having astructural configuration for adjustably engaging within a respectiverecess of a fixture member.

11. An assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the leaf fixture memberhas a case-like body having

1. A hinge assembly for butt-closing door leaves comprising: a. a framefixture element, a door leaf fixture element and an independentconnecting mechanism, b. each said fixture element including a guidemeans, c. said connecting mechanism including a fixed portion, apivoting portion that pivots about a pivotal axis located on said fixedportion and connecting means which engage said guide means on each ofthe fixture elements, d. said connecting means being detachably lockablewith said guide means and being adjustably disposed with respect to theguide means on each of the fixture elements so that the independentconnecting mechanism is displaceable with respect to the frame fixtureand door leaf fixture elements.
 2. A hinge assembly as defined in claim1 wherein said guide means includes a recess located in each of thefixture elements, each said recess having a structural confIguration toreceive the connecting means of the independent connecting mechanism. 3.A hinge assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said connecting meansincludes lug members disposed on said fixed and pivoting portions andhaving a structural each said fixture element includes fastening screwmeans for releasably holding said lug members within each recess.
 4. Ahinge assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame fixture memberincludes a case-shaped plate member having a pocket recess open alongone side of the fixture member and a fastening flange having screw holesalong another side of the fixture member, the distance between the screwholes in said fastening flange corresponding to the distance of holesprovided in the frame onto which said hinge assembly is to be disposed.5. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide meanscomprises a pocket recess open along one side of each fixture element,said connecting means includes a lug member formed on the fixed andpivoting portions of the independent connecting mechanism and insertableinto said recess, said recess being offset with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the fixture element in a direction parallel to thehinge pivoting axis to receive the connecting lug member.
 6. A hingeassembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the door leaf fixture elementincludes a circular casing having a recess opened at one end thereof toreceive a lug member.
 7. A hinge assembly as defined in claim 1 whereinone of the connecting mechanism portions is forked to mate with theother connecting mechanism portion so that the articulation portionspivot with respect to each other about a pivot pin that pivotallyconnects the fixed and pivoting portions.
 8. A hinge assembly as definedin claim 7 wherein the forked connecting mechanism portion includes aprojection element to engage the frame on which the frame fixtureelement is disposed to insure a secure location thereon.
 9. A hingeassembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said pivoting connectingmechanism portion includes at least one pivoting part having a forkedsection pivotally attached to the pivot pin.
 10. A hinge assembly forbutt-closing door leaves comprising: a. a frame fixture member, a doorleaf fixture member and intermediate connecting mechanism, b. saidintermediate connecting mechanism including two connecting elementspivotally attached to each other, c. each said fixture member includinga recess, and d. each said connecting element including a flat lugmember having a structural configuration for adjustably engaging withina respective recess of a fixture member.
 11. An assembly as defined inclaim 10 wherein the leaf fixture member has a case-like body having tworecesses.